Sermon Hebrews Chapter 4

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[2] The title of the sermon: “HEBREWS CHAPTER 4.”

We are continuing our verse by verse study through the Book of Hebrews.
Let’s get started in verse 1 of Hebrews Chapter 4.

[3] Hebrews 4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

You see at the beginning of the verse there: “Let us therefore.”
This is a continuation of the previous chapter. Who is the “US” in “LET US THEREFORE FEAR.”
In Hebrews Chapter 3 verse 1, the Bible tells us who this US is.
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling.” We have professed our faith in Jesus Christ.
Verse 1 in Hebrews Chapter 3 says these things. This is speaking to saved people or brethren, spiritually.

Verse 14 in the last chapter says: “For WE are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end.”

So, we already had this confidence in Jesus Christ to begin with. We put our faith in Him and He saves us.
But now, we need to continue to hold fast this confidence and faith in Christ. We need to continue.
We should continue to have faith in Christ. We’re already saved. We have even professed this faith.
This book is speaking to saved people. And this book uses “REST” as a picture of salvation.

The basics of the Bible promise us that once we believe in Christ we receive everlasting life that can’t be lost.

We are saved by grace through faith, and not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.
Now, some people believe that once they are saved that they have nothing left to fear.
Some people have the wicked attitude of “I’m saved so who cares about anyone else. I’ll do what I want.”
This is why we have the Book of Hebrews. Look closely at verse 1 in Hebrews Chapter 4.

“Let US therefore FEAR.” We should always fear God. He’s not going to throw US into hell but we better fear Him.

Most Christians let all the fear of God go once they are saved and many think they can do what they want.
Listen, here are the warnings in the Book of Hebrews. Let us therefore fear, lest. Lest what?
Lest means with the intention of preventing something undesirable. There is a risk after being saved.
The risk is not being thrown into hell, but there is a risk in missing out on other things.

“A promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should SEEM to come short of it.”

Seem to come short of it. Seem means to give the impression of being something.
This is obviously speaking of what happened in the last chapter.
We know the last chapter spoke of the provoking of God by the children of Israel in the wilderness.
Some of these people provoked God with unbelief. Not all of them but some of them.

What happened? Moses brought them out of Egypt. The Passover is a picture of salvation.

They were baptized through the Red Sea. They went through the wilderness. Some provoked God.
Some worshipped false gods. So, some of these people might SEEM like they didn’t go to heaven.
But some did. And some didn’t. This rest is a picture of salvation. Heaven is a place of rest.
Why? Because there is no sin. There is no war with sin. Moses didn’t enter into the promised land.
But Moses went to heaven. He did enter into God’s rest.

But it might SEEM that he didn’t. If Moses didn’t enter into the promised land physically, we should also fear God.

We may be saved spiritually, but we still have this life left to live here in this physical body.
And we should fear God because physically we might not enter into His rest.
We know that faith saves us, and we know that being faithful in our life doesn’t save us spiritually.
We should be faithful and endure to the end, but these works do not save us. Being faithful is work.
Having faith in Jesus Christ is not work. You need to know these differences.

For example, being faithful in reading your Bible each day is a work. This doesn’t save you spiritually.

The moment you change your mind and believe in Jesus Christ is the moment you receive everlasting life.
After this, you can choose to keep the faith, endure, and do what God says OR not.
You can have an evil heart of unbelief as you continue in your life.
This is not good, and you should be afraid. The physical carcases of those people fell in the wilderness.
Some went to heaven and some went to hell. You don’t want to APPEAR to others as having no faith.
This doesn’t profit anyone. This doesn’t help anyone. When you get to this point, you should be afraid.

So, make sure you understand what I’m saying here. Some of the physical children with Moses were saved.

Some of them were not saved. Physically, God saved them and brought them out of Egypt.
Spiritually, some believed in God, were saved, and then tested God. Some never believed in God.
Some went to heaven with rewards. Some went to heaven without rewards. Some went to hell.
There was a congregation in the wilderness, a church. The same is true for all churches today.
Some go to heaven with rewards. Some go to heaven without rewards. Some go to hell.

Again, you don’t want to seem to come short of heaven or God’s rest so do what God says to do.

I don’t want any of you to see me go away from God and then wonder if I ever was saved.
It might seem like I was never saved, but I am. For example, people may question king Solomon.
He was a saved man but then went after false gods and provoked God Almighty. Do you see what I mean?
Okay, let’s continue in Hebrews Chapter 4 knowing all these things.

[4] Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

Now, many lying scum bag false preachers, such as Robert Breaker white board man, teach that Abraham didn’t know the Gospel.
They are dispticksationalists who act as if no one in the Old Testament knew the Gospel.
The New Testament tells us in a couple of places that the Gospel was preached in the Old Testament.

“For unto us was the Gospel preached.” Who is us? Saints. Old Testament and New Testament.

ALL OF US. All of the people who hear the Gospel and believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. ALL OF US.
“As well as unto them.” Who is them? All the unsaved who hear the Gospel but don’t believe it.
God proved to those people over and over again that He could save them.
He saved them from the Egyptians. He saved them from thirst and hunger.
He did miracles before their eyes. And yet, they did not believe.

Verse 2 says: “The word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

Those people who won’t have faith will never enter into God’s rest in heaven.
They heard the Gospel. It was preached unto them. This means someone must have known it well.

[5] Galatians 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Abraham, long before Moses and these children of Israel in the wilderness, knew the Gospel.
Abraham passed it on. There were Gospel preachers in the Old Testament.
Believe God, and you will be saved. Believe that He will send a Savior who will forgive us our sins.
The woman at the well knew God would send a Savior. The physical Jews now are still waiting for a Savior.

[6] John 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

She knew because the Gospel was preached in the Old Testament too.
They preached that Christ would come. A Savior would come. They didn’t know His name as Jesus.
“That one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.”
Many of these physical children of Israel wouldn’t believe and some today won’t believe.

We are only saved by God’s grace through faith. God had grace on all those people. He had mercy on them.

But Hebrews Chapter 4 verse 2 says, “not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”
THEY HEARD THE GOSPEL BUT WOULDN’T BELIEVE THE WORD OF GOD. Listen to this in Romans 10.

[7] Romans 10:12-14 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

[8] Romans 10:15-17 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

[9] Romans 10:18-19 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. 19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.

[10] Romans 10:20-21 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

So, did the people in the Old Testament hear the Gospel? “Have they not heard?”
“Yes, verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”
And yet people will say that the Gospel just can’t reach certain people today.
And false preachers will stay say that Israel didn’t know the Gospel.

“DID NOT ISRAEL KNOW?” Jesus says to Nicodemus, “Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?”

Hey, wake up. Did you not think God would send preachers to save people in the Old Testament?
Everyone is saved by the Gospel of Jesus Christ from the foundation of the world.
There is no other way. Jesus is the way. He is the way for Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Joshua.

He is the way for the woman at the well who knew there would be a Messiah.

Jesus says, “I that speak unto thee am He.”
Did Israel not know? What a joke some preachers happen to be!!! Of course they knew.
But some didn’t believe. God’s grace was there but there was no faith mixed with His grace to save them.

[11] Hebrews 4:3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

The physical rest into the promised land is a picture of salvation but is not actual salvation.
If it were, then Moses would have entered into the physical promised land. That’s all the proof you need.
This verse speaks of rest in heaven or spiritual salvation: THE SALVATION OF YOUR SOUL.
“For we which have believed do enter into rest.” This is salvation.
But, if we want to continue in His rest even now, we must do the works that He gives us to do.

And then He clearly tells us here that salvation is not of our works.

“Although the works were FINISHED from the foundation of the world.”
The works for the salvation of your soul are already finished. Is that not what this says exactly? It is.
So don’t be confused and trip all over the Book of Hebrews. This is taking our understanding deeper.
This book is written to people who are already saved.

God is saying that all the works were finished from the foundation of the world to enter into His rest.

This rest will happen when we enter into heaven. But physically, there’s still more work for us to do.
But this physical work doesn’t save us spiritually. Water baptism doesn’t save us spiritually.
As we do His works here, though, we do enter into His rest and His protection in this life.

[12] Isaiah 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.

[13] Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Jesus says to come to Him and you will rest. “Yet they would not hear. We will not walk therein.”
For example, Madonna thinks rebellion against the good ways is the way to go.
And she teaches her idiotic scum bag trash to all these people. She said this:

“I wouldn’t have turned out the way I was if I didn’t have all those old-fashioned values to rebel against.”

She’s right. She’s an idiot who is mutilating her own body and promoting everything against God.
She’s wicked. She thinks rebellion against God is the right ways because she has money and fame now.
She said, “Sick and perverted always appeals to me.”
“I stand for freedom of expression, doing what YOU believe in, and going after your dreams.”
“I am my own experiment. I am my own work of art.”
“I want to be like Gandhi and Martin Luther King and John Lennon but I want to stay alive.”
Not too long from now she’ll be weeping and gnashing her teeth. And that will never change.

[14] Romans 5:1-2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

We enter into the rest of God by faith. We then have peace with Him. We stand right now by faith in Him.
We do good works through the faith that He’s given to us. We trust His words. We deny ourselves.
We die daily. We follow His Spirit and not our flesh, our wants, our desires, and our dreams.”
We can’t even imagine the good things that God has in store for us so we simply do what He says.
This brings rest and peace with our Maker. Why Madonna does evil, we do what God says to do.
While she gets rich and famous in this life, we do what God says. He gives us rest. She will never rest.

So, we know the works for salvation were complete. We simply enter into His rest.

That’s why salvation is only by God’s grace through faith. Grace and works are the opposite.
The works required for salvation or eternal life or heaven were finished by Jesus Christ.
Let’s say today He says He will complete something 1 billion years from now, it’s as good as done.
Why? Because He doesn’t forget. He doesn’t lie. He does what He says He’ll do.

He promised me to save me if I simply believe in Him. And I did believe. And He did save me.

And He will take me to heaven. I know this because He made me a promise. And His word is good.
And I know that I now SHOULD do the works He told me to do in this life. This is restful and peaceful.
For example, I will never be happy in this life unless I do the works that Jesus commanded me to do.
I will never be at peace within myself unless I do these works IN THIS LIFE, RIGHT NOW.

[15] Hebrews 4:4 For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.

The Sabbath Day, the seventh day, which is a Saturday for us, is a picture of salvation.
God did all the work, and then He rested the seventh day. He didn’t rest because He was tired.
He rested to show that all the works were complete. The Sabbath was made for man.
The Sabbath Day is a spiritual picture of salvation.

[16] Genesis 2:1-3 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

[17] Exodus 20:10-11 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

[18] Exodus 31:15-17 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. 16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

God is very serious about the Sabbath day because it is a picture of salvation.
The very last use of the word Sabbath is in this next Scripture.

[19] Colossians 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

We don’t observe the Sabbath Day physically because we understand Jesus fulfilled the Sabbath law.
Jesus Christ is our Sabbath or our rest. We enter into His rest by ceasing from our works.
We cannot work for salvation. We simply enter into His rest. He is our rest.
We can never work for salvation. The children of Israel only entered into the promised land by faith.

There were physical children of Israel who had no faith who entered into the physical promised land.

The unbelieving and Jesus hating physical Jews, which are not spiritual Jews, are in that land today.
You must think of spiritual things when reading the words of the Bible. His words are Spirit and truth.
If you think of physical things only, you will be confused. We are physical and spiritual.

[20] Hebrews 4:5 And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

This is the same quote from Psalm Chapter 95 that we’ve been over in previous chapters.
And in this place again. AGAIN means another occurrence. He speaks of a physical rest and a spiritual rest.
Notice the Bible says, “IF they shall enter into my rest.” Salvation is conditional.
Salvation is not unconditional as Calvinists such as John MacArthur will teach. He’s a liar.

[21] Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

IF YOU BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST, you shalt be saved. IF is conditional. Personally, you must believe.
God doesn’t make you believe. You must believe in Jesus Christ. Change your mind and believe.
“IF” you believe, you will enter into God’s rest spiritually. There’s no doubt about that at all.
So, we know 100% for sure that salvation is by God’s grace through personal faith in Jesus. Not of works.
Now, please listen to these next Scriptures because this enforces everything I’ve said so far.

[22] Hebrews 4:6-9 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

Listen, all of this is here to help you understand and not to make things more difficult to understand.
God is explaining why the physical children of Israel with Moses did not enter into the promised land.
They didn’t enter into God’s rest because of unbelief. Does that mean all of them went to hell?
No, It does not. Verse 8 right there says, “For if Jesus had given them rest, then would He not afterward have spoken of another day.”
There was another rest for Moses. He didn’t enter the promised land on earth but entered into heaven.
If Jesus had allowed them all to enter, He wouldn’t have spoken of another day or another rest.

The first group with Moses didn’t enter therein. They had the Gospel preached to them.

They didn’t believe as a group. Remember things like the golden calf and Aaron in Exodus Chapter 32.
They wanted to go back into Egypt. They didn’t believe they could conquer the people of the lands.
10 of 12 spies gave a bad report. They didn’t believe. 2 of 12 did believe: Caleb and Joshua.
The majority lost the faith so they didn’t enter into the promised land physically.
Caleb and Joshua did enter into the promised land. The next generation entered.

And then afterwards, there were people who didn’t believe. After Joshua, you can see these things in Judges.

They were still living in the promised land, but they had unbelief. And they don’t enter into His rest.
They don’t do what He says because they don’t believe Him.
For example, God commands us to preach the Gospel to save people, but some don’t believe this.
“Well, it’s not doing anything. It’s not working so I’m not doing it.” This is an evil heart of unbelief. It is.
It’s the same type of thing. So you won’t enter into His rest right now. Understand these things now.

You now have TODAY to make your decision. “To day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.”

Today could be the day of salvation for you. And today could be the day you choose to follow the Lord.
Following the Lord is hard work. Many people fall back and quit because it is difficult.
They want to rest now, but God says I’ve given you rest for eternity. Right now, it’s time to work.
We’re moving forward. We’re leaving the other things behind. The work of God moves to highest priority.
And then I can rest in the spiritual blessings of Jesus Christ. SPIRITUAL REST HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US.
We’ve already been saved but we were created unto good works that we do through faith.

[23] Hebrews 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

Now, we know this speaks of spiritual rest because Jesus commands us to go and work.
Preach the Gospel, baptize them, teach them all things. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves.
Go to church. Pray. Never ceasing. Preaching. Teaching house to house. Get to work right now.
God is not finished working in reality. He’s speaking of the salvation of your soul in these Scriptures.
My soul is now at rest. My soul does not sin. My soul is sealed with the Holy Spirit of God.

I was saved when I realized that I couldn’t do any works for salvation. ONLY BELIEVE IN CHRIST.

Put all my trust in Him. “He also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.”
When it comes to salvation, I know that there is no good work I can do to be saved.
What must I do to be saved? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.”
The light bulb goes off. “There’s no work I can do to be saved.” And then believe in Jesus Christ.
And then receive everlasting life. It’s His death, burial, and resurrection that saves us. Not ours.

God ceased from His works to show us that we must enter into His rest to be saved. He did all the work.

For example, when the body of Jesus died, He was finished with His work on this earth at the time.
He had fulfilled all the Scriptures to that point. His body was dead. His soul was in hell.
His body laid in the tomb for 3 days and 3 nights. Our flesh can’t save us. Our works can’t save us.

Jesus did these things on Sabbath days to show us that we are to rest in Him for salvation.

We are not to cease from good works after we’re saved, though. But we know they do not save our soul.
If I died after I was saved and did no good works, I would be in heaven. Good works are not required for salvation.

Think about this. God created the world in one week. He could have created it in a second. Everything.

But He did this in 7 days or what we call a week. Isn’t amazing that our weeks are based on God’s 7 days?
He worked 6 days and rested 1 day. While we’re here on this earth, we need to work for Him.
None of these works save us and that final day is the day of rest.

We work our entire life and then we enter into His rest. He wants us working.

We are to be faithful to the end, endure to the end, and do good works for Him.
But we know none of this saves us. AT ALL.

[24] Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Many people will take a Scripture like this and teach a works based salvation.
They’ll say, “SEE!!! We must labor to enter into His rest.”
But this book is already speaking to the Holy brethren who have faith in Christ.
We are to continue working for Jesus Christ so that we enter into His rest in this life and the next.
God worked 6 days and rested on Day 7. Let us labor so we don’t fall after the same example of unbelief.

The Bible teaches that we grow our faith through our works. We increase faith by works.

Reading and studying the Bible increases faith. Hearing the word of God increases faith.
Prayer increases faith. Repenting of sin increases faith. Preaching the Gospel increases faith.
Following Jesus Christ will increase the faith that you have. We are to labour in the word of God.
Getting baptized in water will increase the faith that you have.
Doing these things gives you peace with God. He is well pleased with you, and you have rest.

But, what else do we know about doing the works of God? You earn eternal rewards.

For example, being faithful unto death earns you a crown of life.
“Blessed is he that endureth temptation. He shall receive the crown of life.”
Enduring temptation is hard work, but all of this increases your faith.
You won’t fall after the same example of unbelief as the children of Israel did when you increase faith.
You’ll work hard for God, never give up, endure to the end, and you enter into heaven with rewards.

Another example. Some saved people get away from God and His words. The parable of the sower tells us this.

3 of 4 in that parable are saved. 2 of the 3 saved aren’t producing fruit because they stop working for God.
Or they never start doing any work for God. They fall back. Trials are too much for them.
They are offended. So they take the easy way out of the work of God in this life. They don’t do it.
They have a high chance to fall after the example of unbelief. No rewards in heaven.

But he himself shall be saved. Saved people sin. Some let this sin get to them. They get discouraged.

Because they sinned, they don’t read their Bible that day. They don’t read it the next day.
They stop coming to church. They fall further away. They start drinking alcohol.
They become the person in the country music song whose getting drunk all the time.
What a waste of life that God gave you. Yes, saved people do this.

Or they get divorced and have 5 sets of children with 5 different people. They get lost in the things of the world.

They allow the world to take over, and they never do the work God created them to do.
Some sit at home and watch TV all day. I will tell you the truth about something. God created us to work.
If you sit at home and don’t contribute, God doesn’t give out welfare rewards. He’s not a democrat.

He’s not a republican either. He’s not friends with motor mouth Ben Shapiro.

If you won’t do the work, you’ll have no rewards in heaven.
If you do the work, He rewards you and pays you in full. Again, this is not for salvation.
God does not split my rewards with a bum who does nothing. He commands us to labor.
If we won’t labor, He says that we don’t even eat. Understand? No welfare.
If you won’t labor for God, you will not get rewards in heaven and you will fall after this same example.
And God is telling you serious He is about these things.

Out of the 12 spies, Caleb and Joshua had faith in conquering those lands. Joshua did his best to conquer them.

10 out of 12 fell after that same example of unbelief.
It’s like looking at a good church and 10 of every 12 fall after that same example of unbelief.
Moses was a good leader. 10 of 12 unbelief. God led them in the wilderness. 10 of 12 unbelief.
So, don’t think you’re so much better than the children of Israel either. You aren’t.
Wake up, and see what you’ve been doing for God. Go write it down. Take a look. Make sure it’s good.

Is coming to sit in church enough? Ask God. What do you think He’ll say? I know what He would say.

NO, IT’S NOT ENOUGH. That’s not all He told you to do. Preach the Gospel.
Baptize people in church. Teach them all things in this Bible. Are you doing these things?
Are you winning souls to Christ? If not, you aren’t doing enough.
You are in the other categories of the parable of the sower. You aren’t at peace with God.
That’s the problem. Either make the tree good or not. Bring forth fruit with patience or not.

When you take your last breath, wouldn’t it be great to just know you won thousands of people to Christ?

That’s true restfulness there. You can say, “I fought a good fight. I have finished my course.”
“I have kept the faith.” Wouldn’t that be nice? You’ve got the chance to start today.

[25] 2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Do you see? “There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord shall give me that day.”
Isn’t that what we should be laboring for right there? We should do everything we can for God.
We don’t have long here. It’s work, but we can handle it. You might be tired, but you can handle it.
You might be old, but you can handle it. God gives the strength. Make a decision. Do the work or not.
In verse 11 of Hebrews Chapter 4, we see God say to labor to enter into that rest, lest any man FALL.
Let’s read that verse again.

[26] Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

The Bible speaks of men falling. “Lest an man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

[27] Proverbs 24:16 For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

What does this mean? A just man or a saved man falls many times. Falls into what? Falls into sin.
But he gets back up and gets on the right track again. He doesn’t quit.
But I want to show you that what I am teaching today is correct.

[28] 2 Peter 1:5-8 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

[29] 2 Peter 1:9-11 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

You don’t want to fall. I don’t want you to fall. NONE OF YOU in here or out there listening.
I want you to be fruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You want to add to your faith all of these other things: virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity.
If you add these things to your faith by doing the works of God, YE SHALL NEVER FALL.

But look closely at verse 11: “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

If you will keep the faith, do the works, and add to the faith, you will come into the rest abundantly.
These are the promises of God. Do the work and enter abundantly into His rest.

[30] Hebrews 10:35-36 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

You receive the promise of great recompence of reward when you cast not away your confidence.
Hold fast this confidence in Jesus Christ. Do you see all of this? The Bible agrees perfectly.
And we know that faith alone saves us already but there are more promises of eternal significance.
No one teaches these things in the vast majority of churches. They can’t even get the basics right.
We’re going far beyond the basics. NEVER STOP SERVING GOD IN YOUR LIFE.
No matter if I’m not here anymore. No matter if I’ve gone to heaven. Never stop. There’s nothing better.

[31] Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

We did an entire sermon on this Scripture recently so I won’t go into lots of detail here.
But the word of God discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart.
God knows if you want to win souls to Christ. God knows what’s important to you.
The Bible says that in the end times the love of many shall wax cold.

[32] Matthew 24:10-13 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

If we all do the work of God and make this a priority in our lives, we won’t offend each other.
Our love will not wax cold. Following God’s commandments is equal to love.
If we won’t do what He says, we fall away from God and this is not love.
Your priorities should be to do what God says to do and not what you want to do.

“And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” This is what happens.

We need to endure to the end. Finish our course. Keep the faith. Fight the battles. We don’t quit.
And if you don’t like what I’m saying, the word of God is a discerner of the thoughts of your heart.
God knows. Fall away, and you might not come back until it’s too late.
So, if you’re one that says, “Well, I’m just happy going to heaven, and I want to live MY LIFE,” I would be very careful.
I’m just telling you what God says in His words. If you don’t like it, that’s your problem.

People leave good churches because the pastor hurt their feelings or wasn’t nice enough to them.

Maybe he told the man of the family to get a job. Maybe the wife didn’t like that the preacher says faggot.
Maybe the wife got offended because the preacher said something about short hair on a woman.
Maybe he says the words idiot, stupid, fool, homo, queer, whore, bastard, dung, and piss.
It was so offensive. A preacher is not perfect. But you quit serving God because of some words?

Or, you’re mad for some other reason? That’s your excuse? You don’t get an excuse like that. God won’t accept it.

Do you want to blame something on me? Maybe you should take a look at yourself.
Always making excuses. “Well, he did this or that.” Maybe it’s because you won’t do this or that.
People love to blame someone else for everything. If you’re offended, you usually played a part too.

“Well, the preacher did this or that.” I’m not talking about something horrible. “I just don’t like how he joked about something.”

“He made a nickname for me. I don’t like it. I saw him driving like an idiot. I saw him spank his children.”
Hey, if you follow me around all day, it won’t take you long to find something wrong that I did.
Holier than thous everywhere. I’m not perfect. You aren’t perfect.

Don’t make excuses to stop doing God’s work because someone offended you.

“Many shall be offended. Many shall betray one another.” BACKSTABBERS.
Christians that won’t do what God says to so. They fall after that same example of unbelief.
If you’re looking for a perfect man to lead YOUR CHURCH, you won’t find him here.
Get to a good church that serves God and does His work.
If doing something for a church bothers you because you’re too busy with other things, something is wrong with you.

Complainers, whiners, murmurers. “You want me to do that. You want me to do this.” Whine, whine, whine.

If you think the children of Israel were complainers, look around today. They’re everywhere.
Every little thing bothers them, and they complain about it.
“Your daughter played a song I didn’t like on the piano. Your son did this or that.”

“Your kids are playing outside in the sun, and I don’t want my kids to get scorched like they will at vial 4.”

“Your evil and wicked that you let your kids play in the sun!!!” WOW IS ALL I CAN SAY.
And this is why people quit good churches. People don’t want to do any work at all.
They love to come and sit in the chairs and do nothing else except what they want to do.

“For the love of many shall wax cold.” Do you know how you know that your love hasn’t waxed cold?

When you want to win souls to Christ for the right reasons.
No other reason but because Jesus died for them. That person is that important to Jesus.
He died for them. So you put the work in to get that person saved. That’s how you know.
If you don’t care at all, then you’re in that category. Your love has waxed cold.
And you don’t have to fake it like yours hasn’t waxed cold. God already knows. Next verse.

[33] Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

God sees everything you think. He looks on your heart. He doesn’t care so much about your perfect hair.
“For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
All things are naked to Him. We aren’t hiding anything from Him. He knows your thoughts.
Are you still so great? Is everyone else horrible sinners, but not you? Get to work for God.

[34] Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Let us hold fast our profession of faith. Never lose the faith. HOLD FAST. Don’t be offended by Christ.
Don’t get mad that He asks you to do good works for Him. “Well, I don’t have time for you, Jesus.”
“I’ve got time for everything else that’s not important, but not for you Jesus.” Those are wicked thoughts.
“I don’t have 20 minutes to spend giving the Gospel to some stranger. I don’t get anything out of it.”
“I only do things that I profit from myself. I only do things that are good for myself.” Wickedness.

“I only do things for MY FAMILY. I only do things for MY KIDS. I only do things for MYSELF.”

ME, ME, ME. Wickedness. This is what people do today. “We have a great high priest.”
“He is passed into the heavens.” He died for us. But yet people shrug their shoulders. “So what???”
Man, I tell you what. If you can’t do something for Jesus Christ each day, something is wrong.
You SEEM to have come short of entering into His rest. You won’t do anything for Him.
And yes, this is temptation when you want to go after other things. IT IS TEMPTATION. Wake up.
See what’s happening? Which way are you going? Are you awake? Are you going the right way?

[35] Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

We need to endure the temptations. Jesus did. He was tempted like us.
Since He did it, we can do this now. We simply focus on the faith and do the works He asked us to do.
We endure temptations by holding fast our profession of faith. KEEP THE FAITH. DO THE WORK.
Increase the faith. Do the work. Increase the faith. Continue and continue and continue.

[36] Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

We need to keep the faith and do His works so we can come boldly unto the throne of grace.
We may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in the times of need.
When we endure temptations, we can only do so with God’s help. On our own, we fail.

We need to fear missing out on eternal promises from God just as the children of Israel missed out on the promised land.

Hebrews Chapter 4 is teaching us this. We need to labor so we don’t miss out on eternal promises.
In Hebrews Chapter 1, we learned that God speaks unto us by His Son who is heir of all things.
In Hebrews Chapter 2, we need to give more earnest heed to the Son of God because He was made like unto us.
He endured temptations so He can help us endure these temptations.

In Hebrews Chapter 3, we must remember Jesus who is FAITHFUL.

If not, we will depart from the living God due to an evil heart of unbelief. This is speaking to the saved.
In Hebrews Chapter 4, we learn to hold fast the profession of faith or miss out on the eternal promises from God just as the children of Israel with the promised land.
Remember all of these things. God speaks to us by His Son. Listen to what the Son of God says.
Jesus was faithful to God so we are to be like Him. He endured temptations. We can endure them too.
Hold fast the profession of our faith. Endure to the end. Do the works. Fight the fight. LABOR TO THE END.

Please be aware that the Bible never speaks of how well you’re going to do in future things. Wait until then?

The Bible speaks of how well did you do in this life RIGHT NOW. What did you do with this life?
What are you working on? If you aren’t dead, your life isn’t over. Focus on the right things.
We’re all running out of time. Any of us can die at any moment. It’s time.

Your eternal rewards are based on what you do in this life. Do you want to live forever with rewards?

God’s promises are good. This chapter is highly important. Our job in this life is to serve God.
You might have wasted much of your life, but you still have time. You are still breathing right now.
If you’re listening anywhere in the world to this, you still have time. It’s time to get busy for Christ.
Why? So you build the faith, keep the faith, hold fast the faith, and you don’t have unbelief AT ALL.

Let’s pray.

Are You 100% Sure
You’re Going To Heaven?

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